Obituaries

Frances (Sherman) Menges, age 89, of Elkhart, Indiana and a former long time Sturgis resident passed away early Wednesday morning October 7, 2009 at the Golden Living Center in Elkhart. She was born October 21, 1919 in Vincennes, Indiana a daughter to the late Earl and Emma (Inkemier) Ellis. Mrs. Menges retired from Keeslar and Emerson in Sturgis where she …

George L. “Sonny” Chorba, Jr.  age 62, of Jones, passed away Saturday, October 3rd, 2009 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, following injuries sustained in a mowing accident.  He was born in Niles on July 9, 1947,  a son of George  and Harriet (Everman) Chorba, Sr. Sonny graduated from Constantine High School. He worked as a truck driver at Postle …

Richard “Dick”  James Dahlman Sr., age 71, of Lake Templene, passed away on Sunday morning Oct. 4, 2009 surrounded by family, following a courageous battle with cancer.  He was born on Oct. 10, 1937 in Matteson, IL. The son of Walter Dahlman Sr. and Violet (Nelson) Dahlman. Dick graduated from Rich East High School in 1955.  He was employed for …

Diane M. Yancy, age 59, of Three Rivers, died late Friday, Oct. 2, 2009, at her home following a long illness. She was born in Mendon on Dec. 8, 1949, the daughter of Duaine and Dorothy (McClish) Phillips. Diane attended Mendon Schools and graduated from Three Rivers High School. She was married to Henry L. Yancy in Kalamazoo on March …

Roger L. Wilson, 70, of White Pigeon, died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, at Sturgis Hospital. He fought a long battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, at the Farrand Funeral Home, White Pigeon with funeral services at 2 p.m..

Diane M. Yancy, age 59, of Three Rivers, died late Friday, Oct. 2, 2009 at her home following a long illness.  She was born in Mendon on Dec. 8, 1949 the daughter of Duaine and Dorothy (McClish) Phillips.  Diane attended Mendon Schools and graduated from Three Rivers High School.  She was married to Henry L. Yancy in Kalamazoo on March …

Edith May Sprunger,  age 90, of Constantine, passed away Friday, October 2nd, 2009 at home while surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Constantine on October 1, 1919, a daughter of William and Alice (Parris) Harshbarger. Edith attended Quaker Street School. On July 2, 1938 she married Howard Sprunger in Goshen, IN. He preceded her in death on …

William J. Bontrager, 88, of Centreville, Mich., passed away early Friday morning Oct. 2, 2009, at his home. He was born June 12, 1921, in Dodge City, Kansas a son of the late John M. and Elizabeth (Mullett) Bontrager. On March 1, 1942, he married Lydia Mae Yoder she survives along with 11 children, Alvin (Susie) Bontrager of Burr Oak, …

Robert A. Stiles, age 66, of Sturgis, passed away unexpectedly Thursday morning, Oct. 1, 2009, at the Sturgis Hospital emergency room. He was born Oct. 24, 1942, in Coldwater, a son of the late Guy and Edlah (Lincoln) Stiles. Bob had resided in Sturgis since 1972, coming from Coldwater. His early life was spent in the Branch County area, and …

Margaret C. Wall, age 93, of  Lainsburg, MI and formerly of Constantine, passed away Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at Wynwood of Meridian. She was born in Eureka, IL on January 25, 1916, a daughter of Jacob Ludvig and Sophie (Roehn) Noe. Margaret graduated from Constantine High School. Margaret was married to Jack Wall for over 49 years. He preceded her …